Nigel1943

You should know better than me about Greek taxes but my understanding is that import taxes were banned by the EU around 2002/4, and replaced with a registration fee. I know taxation is a minefield in Greece depending on who you are and where you are, but I would have thought a little investigation is worthwhile. I guess the cars you're looking at were brought in under the old "rules" and therefore the prices are inflated to recover some of those costs. Anyway, I thought avoiding taxes was a national sport in Greece::devious:

Firstly, 6000 euros is way too much for a car in that condition. You could pick an equivalent one up in the UK for around 1300 euros. I realise the rarity value in Greece but taking into account the amount of work you'll have to do it is still grossly overpiced. Yes you will be able to see any rust on a 280zx. Favourite places are the floors, chassis rails in the engine department, wings at the bottom and inner wings, also the spare wheel well and the bottom of the doors. And that's just to start with! You'd be better off trying to find a 240/260Z at that sort of price. Left hand drive one's come up for sale in the UK and France on occassions. For 6000 euros you could probably import one from the USA. There's plenty there and if you get one from California or Arizona you need'nt worry too much about rust. I have a contact in France who sells them.

Well, you'll certainly get some practice with a 280zx! I really feel you need someone who knows Z's to come along with you when you are considering buying one. It does'nt matter how cheap it is, RUST can make it impractible to repair. As a matter of interest, how much is being asked for the two cars? I have a spares car at my home now and can tell you that despite being a 1982 car, rustproofed from new, the bodyshell is absolutely knackered.

To be honest I would'nt touch either of them. If I was having to go for one I'd go for the black one. Where you live is presumably near the sea judging by the pictures and all Z's do not like anything that accelerates RUST, the eternal enemy. You may not get as much rain as here in the UK but sea salt is definitely a no no. Even if the black one has had an accident it might have been done a favour, if the repair was done properly, by having new replacement panels. All depends how long ago it was done. Even so there's a lot of work to do and I don't suppose there's too many sources of spares in Greece. Can't tell too much from the pictures, apart from the obvious surface rust patches and missing trim but, and I say this with all due respect to your fellow countrymen, Greeks are'nt renowned for their respect of cars and I suspect these two cars are no exception. If you must go for one inspect for rust thoroughly in all areas. European Z's are more susceptible than most. I wish I could personally help you with an inspection and although I'll probably be in Crete this year it's a long way to Thessalonika! Anyway, best of luck with your search.

Out of interest, where abouts in Greece are you. I'm in the UK which is a bit nearer than the USA and could probably help you in the right direction although I would'nt necessarily recommend the purchase of a UK car. I suspect you are looking for a left hand drive anyway.

I would suggest there is not a lot of point fitting this unless your engine is absoloutly clean to start with. On the 2005 Safari rally at least one car retired because of an internally unclean engine block despite the motor being freshly built.

FWIW keep it simple. Because by his own admission he is new to Z's and as stated in another post he could well end up replacing the head gasket and oil pan gasket if he does'nt drop the pan first. Aso being a rookie he will find it easier to remove the pulley if done this way.

Not quite as simple as that. First you need to remove the crankshaft pulley which means locking the engine up. Then you may be able to prise the front cover off which is between the cylinder head and the oil pan. Getting the cover back is not quite so easy without dropping the oil pan so I would suggest you drain the oil and remove the pan to do the job properly which also makes the pulley removal much simpler.

18" rims are a bit too big for your purposes. Don't assume you are going to pull those speeds you mention, in fact you certainly are not! I would think 16" would be big enough with low profile tyres or 15" with 70 series tyres using any of the standard 5 speed Z trannies and your 4.37. You'll have to do the calculations yourself. Get a late 280zx tranny if you can for the best ratio's.

Problem you have with a 4.37 diff is that you need a "tall" 1st gear and if the one you saw was 2.2ish that would be about right with 14" wheels. Alternatively you could up a size in wheels to 15" or 16" depending on what tyre profile you intend to use.

trs: Thanks for that. When I get the time I'll read all the info. To be honest what I'm actually looking for is rally type struts which will be longer than race ones. I've had good experiences with Bilstein in the past so that's the way I want to go.

trs: Are we talking inserts here? If so, which Golf model/year.

Hi trs: I noticed earlier in this thread that you're using Bilstein struts. I assume these are made to order in Australia. Any chance you have a contact or website for the producer?

That pump is shot. Replace it and change the oil and filter.

Last registered 240z in the UK was 1974.

Very nice for a race car only used on circuits, but spherical rod ends have a habit of knocking out over time if used on a daily basis, and they aint cheap themselves.

In the process of sussing out how 280ZX calipers fit my 240. Just wondering, having fitted the calipers, how have people fitted the parking brake cable?

I would concur, 25% loss.

What way are you bleeding the brakes? Pump the pedal up with the bleed nipples shut until you get a hard pedal and then release the pressure thro the nipples. Is the pressure regulating valve and pressure differential switch in good order? What were the symptoms that made you change the M/C in the first place?

You lucky guys across the pond, seem to be able to pick up anything for your Z from a local Nissan dealer. In the UK 99% of dealers have never even heard of a 240Z, let alone supply parts for them. To get to the point, is there anyone in the US who can ship gearbox bits [synchro rings, gears etc] to the UK?

There is'nt a shoulder inside the cover for the seal to seat on. Just push it in until it's flush with the timing cover face.

Try www.jacobselectronics.com

See your duplicated post!

Be careful here. If I remember rightly there are at least two types of N42 heads, one with small valves and one with the larger valves which I believe will foul the cylinder bores on an L24. Someone else may be able to confirm this as I'm not 100% certain. Anyway, I see you have an E31 head which I personally would refurbish as it is one of the best performing heads with it's kidney shape combustion chambers.

Valve/valves stuck open? Mouse nests in the cylinder bores?